Author Archives: Kristina

Hello again! It has been awhile since I last posted, but I’ve been settling into a new country and lifestyle; this also means figuring out new recipes and cooking methods. As the season shifts into autumn and winter, I often make super simple soups — soups that only require one pot and a bunch of chopped veggies and spices. This soothing autumn soup is so simple that it hardly seems worthy of a recipe because it is more of a toss-everything-in-the-pot-and-wait kind of soup. :) Making use of seasonal ingredients is incredibly beneficial for your health, as the harvest foods of the season are perfectly packaged with the right nutrition to keep you warm and healthy during the wet and cold of autumn/winter. For instance, this soup contains beets, greens, garlic, sweet potatoes, whatever beans you choose, and a plethora of spices. Adding warming spices helps to increase circulation, warm the body, and aid immunity during cold and flu season. It’s especially soothing on a sore throat or cough.

Packed with nutrition, beets are the star of this recipe, delivering plenty of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folate, B6 and Thiamin. They also contain magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Their rich red hue is due to naturally high levels of iron, making them a perfect food for those with anemia. An excellent blood builder, they also protect the immune system and cardiovascular system. Besides all the health benefits, beets are tender and sweet when cooked to a soft texture, making them the perfect addition to soups and stews (plus they give your soup a beautiful red color!). If you are not making homemade soups, then you must get started! Try out this soothing autumn soup or mix up the ingredients and make your own version. It’s a simple, satisfying, and hearty soup that is packed with nutrition!

Fill a pot with three cups of water and bring to a low boil. Add the chopped vegetables, minced garlic, and beans of choice and let cook for around ten to fifteen minutes. Remove from heat. Add the spices, herbs, maple, and greens then let sit covered for about ten minutes. Top with additional salt and pepper and enjoy!

How can one not love gooey, fudgey brownies? Add salted caramel to the mix, and said brownies become irresistible! As much as I love the everything salted caramel craze, these brownies were not intentionally made to become salted caramel brownies, but a magical accident happened (baking accidents are the best) and the type of sugar, vanilla and other icing ingredients transformed into caramel and voila! — Chocolate Brownies with Salted Caramel Icing were created.

Unlike sticky caramel that gets stuck in your teeth, this caramel icing is light and soft yet sweet and buttery. Dusted with a sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt, and the salty sweet perfection melds into the chocolate brownie layers. When drizzled on top of the brownie cake fresh from the oven, the salted caramel icing is able to melt into the hot brownie and mix with the chocolate chips to create a chocolate caramel swirl. Chocolate, caramel, and pink salt — the three ingreidnets to happiness.

While brownies are not exactly the epitome of health food, these brownies are somewhat better for you than the traditional brownie. They are made with plant-based and mostly unrefined ingredients. They actually happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and nut-free. That’s a lot of allergies that you don’t have to worry about when making or consuming this sweet treat. This brownie recipe takes the trouble out of finding the perfect dessert to make for everyone; they are great for bringing to an event while avoiding harmful ingredients or potential allergens. Simple ingredients = simple chocolate and caramel taste. Plus, there’s the added benefit of high protein in this baking mix. Besides containing high quality ingredients, these brownies taste rich and decadent. Whip up a batch of these chocolate brownies with salted caramel icing for a fun and simple plant-based treat!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, combine first four wet ingredients in a regular bowl and mix. Next add melted chocolate chips to the wet mixture and stir until just combined (a tip for quickly melting chocolate chips is to add hot water to the measuring cup with chocolate chips and let melt, then drain the water). Mix everything together, then add the dry ingredients and combine until batter forms. Add to a brownie pan lined with parchment paper, and spread the batter evenly. Bake for about 15 minutes. Once out of the oven, sprinkle on more chocolate chips and spread once they have melted to form the chocolate layer. Let brownies cool while mixing icing ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle icing on the brownies and top with pink salt. Bon appétit!

Peanut sauce is such an amazing creamy and nutty sauce used in Asian cooking that is made with ground roasted peanuts combined with spices. This is what creates such a smooth, rich sauce with lots of flavor. To make a simpler sauce inspired by authentic Asian peanut sauce requires just a few main ingredients that are common kitchen staples plus some mild spices.

In these spiced peanut noodles, a silky smooth peanut sauce coats ribbons of rice noodles. Thankfully, the sauce is simple to assemble with ingredients like creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, and some spices. It has a deep, nutty flavor that melds wonderfully with the subtle saltiness and spiciness. This flavor along with a hint of maple sweetness creates an amazing salty sweet flavor. Soaking up this rich sauce, sweet rice noodles add a nice texture to complement the thick and creamy sauce. Once combined, the fragrant spiced noodles and rich, nutty sauce are splashed with the lime juice—the final touch to enhance flavor and to add some zest.

Health Benefits

Tossed with tender edamame and coated in a smooth peanut sauce, spiced peanut noodles are also full of easy-to-digest protein, thanks to the legumes. Peanuts and edamame provide essential amino acids along with folate, manganese, B vitamins and numerous essential nutrients. Surprisingly, peanuts contain antioxidants such as resveratrol, adding to their heart-healthy properties.

Also high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, edamame contain: magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc. But they are not limited to these nutrients and provide a vast nutrient profile that is often underrated. This tender little bean is good for your bones, heart, and overall health. Besides being well known for a high protein content, edamame can help lower cholesterol and provide plenty of vitamin K1, folate, and thiamine. It also contains isoflavones, which are thought to lower the risk of certain cancers. Altogether, these high-protein ingredients along with the powerful combination of spices like turmeric, cumin, and ginger create a nutritious yet flavorful bowl of creamy spiced peanut noodles with a slight kick from the lime juice and spices.

Start by adding rice noodles to boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes, then strain and rinse under cold water or cook according to box instructions. Set aside noodles and prepare sauce ingredients. Also, boil shelled edamame if using and set aside with the noodles. Start making the sauce by sautéing garlic and oil in a medium sized skillet until fragrant and soft but not crispy. Add the ginger, chill, turmeric, salt then mix together. Next, add the maple syrup, peanut butter and rice vinegar and stir until all the ingredients combine and the spices are incorporated into the creamy sauce mixture. Toss in the rice noodles, cooked edamame, and optional ingredients to the skillet and stir ingredients over low heat until sauce is mixed into the noodles. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper and serve with an extra splash of lime juice. enjoy!

Veggie rice & creamed garlic sauce makes for an excellent, quick lunch or light dinner that is both nourishing and satisfying. Coated in a creamy sauce, fresh or frozen cauliflower and broccoli are steamed until tender along with additional steamed veggies such as carrots and green beans. The vegetables are tossed with fluffy and fragrant basmati rice since it absorbs the sauce really well and is easy to digest, but any rice variety would be delicious. On top of the rice and veggies is a creamy sauce of steamed corn, fresh garlic, and pink salt–incredibly simple yet the flavors and consistency are amazing. For an alternate version, you could also substitute peas for corn and/or add some optional herbs and spices to accentuate the flavors. Topped with a splash of lemon juice, the flavor combinations in the sauce, steamed vegetables, and fragrant rice are heightened by the lemon’s acidity.

Besides tasting delicious, veggie rice & creamed garlic sauce is healthy yet nourishing and comforting. Thanks to cruciferous veggies, they offer anti-cancer nutrients such as a plethora of minerals, carotenoids, and folate as well as vitamins C, E, and K. Also, this high-fiber vegetable contains glucosinolates, the sulfur-rich compounds that have been studied for their cancer-fighting qualities (1).

While it may not look the most appetizing, this veggie rice & creamed garlic sauce is too good not to share. This super delicious bowl of tender veggies and rice pairs wonderfully with a creamy corn sauce (similar to this one) to create a simple meal that can be personalized to your liking. Considering the delicious, colorful tastes and health benefits of this meal idea, veggie rice with creamed garlic sauce is simple to assemble, yet vibrant and delicious.

Boil water in a medium sized saucepan, add rice and simmer on low for 10 minutes until water is absorbed. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. In a separate pan, boil water and add frozen corn. add a mesh steamer or steaming basket containing the vegetables and steam over low heat for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables have reached desired tenderness. Once the rice and veggies are done cooking, combine them in bowl. Add corn and 1/2 cup of cooking water to a high speed bender or food processor and blend on high until smooth. Add in the garlic, turmeric, ginger, oregano, and S&P, then blend on low. Add sauce over rice and veggies and top with salt and pepper to taste along with 2 tbsp. of lemon juice.

This moist lemon blueberry burst cake is bursting with flavor from tart wild blueberries and lemon zest. Lemon icing is drizzled overtop, as it sinks into the moist cake. Together, the tart blueberry and lemon flavor along with natural sweetness from the icing create an amazing tasting cake that is light, yet rich and decadent.

But unlike mosts cakes, this lemon blueberry burst cake is made without refined flours, sugars, or hydrogenated oils. It is also grain-free and dairy-free. By using coconut or almond flour, this substitutes regular flour. It also absorbs moisture really well so you don’t need to use as much flour for the same effect. Plus, it’s anti-inflammatory rather than high-glycemic like refined white flour, which can spark blood sugar and initiate inflammation. This lemon blueberry cake is a complete makeover of the refined traditional version, yet it tastes similar and remarkably sweet for being somewhat healthy.

A simple one-bowl recipe, the cake’s main ingredient involves coconut or almond flour, which absorbs moisture so well that you can get away with using much less (also saves on ingredient amounts, which is always great!). You can also use an all purpose wheat flour or gluten free flour, but make sure to double the amount since they don’t absorb as much moisture.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, then prepare a circular cake pan with parchment paper greased with oil of choice. Meanwhile, add coconut flour, salt, and baking soda to a large bowl and mix. Add all the wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until combined and there are no lumps remaining in the batter. Add the batter to a parchment paper-lined cake pan, and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool, and assemble the frosting by combining powdered sugar, pink salt, lemon zest and juice, then mixing until smooth. Drizzle icing over the cooled cake, top with fresh blueberries (or thawed frozen blueberries) and enjoy!

Baked pasta takes simple pasta to a much higher level. A little extra time to crisp in the oven allows for flavors to intensify and for a baked, crispy topping. In this cheesy baked pasta, the creamy sauce covered noodles bubble into this crisp topping as they meld together to create an amazing balance of creamy and crispy. This combination of baked crispness, creaminess, and cheesiness creates a pasta that tastes wonderful and is so satiating.

The topping of this cheesy baked pasta is made from chunks of bread coated in herb-infused olive oil. Digging into this crispy golden topping reveals noodles drenched in a creamy sauce that soaks into the olive oil coated breadcrumbs. But this pasta could actually be considered fairly nutritious, considering the secret sauce ingredient (buttery golden potatoes) is full of vitamins and minerals. It is also dairy free, thanks to this ingredient, and the noodles and breadcrumbs can be substituted for gluten free versions. It’s a great recipe for allergy-friendly comfort-food that is wonderfully cheesy, creamy, crispy, and satisfying. Thankfully, all you need are some simple ingredients to whip up a batch of this creamy, cheesy baked pasta.

Cook noodles of choice until el dente, about 12 minutes. Meanwhile, boil the chopped potatoes in another pot for about 15 minutes. Drain the noodles and add them to a small casserole dish. Once the potatoes have finished boiling, add them to a high-speed blender or food processor along with 1 cup of the hot water. Add in the seasonings and blend on high speed until smooth. Pour this sauce over the noodles and mix. Now to assemble the breadcrumb topping, add chunks of bread to a pan and coat in olive oil and Italian herbs. Top with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Next, bake the pasta and the breadcrumbs separately for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, then top the pasta with this topping and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until it has reached desired crispness.

The vibrant flavors of Thai cooking create amazing dishes like these golden spiced Thai noodles, which are light yet surprisingly filling and satisfying. The flavors of lime juice, spicy peppers and curry taste amazing when balanced with the subtle sweet flavors of coconut milk and rice. The coconut milk also cools the spiciness to create a wonderful balance of spiciness and creaminess.

This recipe for Golden Spiced Thai Noodles incorporates wonderfully fragrant Thai spices into a simple noodle dish. Fragrant, hot, and subtly sweet, the creamy coconut sauce soaks into the soft Jasmine rice noodles. This tasty sauce combines aromatic spices with sweet coconut cream and spicy peppers. To accentuate these flavors, fresh lime juice is splashed into the sauce to bring out the flavors and to add some zest. Overall, these golden spiced Thai noodles are light and fresh yet comforting and nourishing–a healthy and delicious main dish or side.

It’s also a simple recipe to make that contains just a few ingredients plus spices. Simply cook up some rice noodles (They cook so quickly!) while making the sauce. Creating the sauce involves heating up spices,ginger, and garlic, then cooling everything down with some coconut milk and fresh lime juice. Top with optional tomatoes and Thai basil for additional freshness and flavor.

Add rice noodles to boiling water for around four minutes. Let sit then assemble the sauce ingredients. Add the oil, vegetable broth, minced ginger and garlic, and the spices to a skillet or low pan and sauté for a few minutes until the spices are fragrant and the garlic becomes golden. Add in the coconut cream, brown sugar, and salt & pepper, while mixing over low heat just until warm. Drain the rice noodles, then add them to the sauce and toss until the noodles are evenly coated. Enjoy!

One of the best parts about the holiday season is baking. Baking warm and sweet desserts with family and friends is sure to welcome the holiday spirit.

Although, sometimes it is a challenge to find something simple to make that will also taste amazing. Intimidating mixer machines, rising yeast, creaming this, whipping that, and all the sifting of sugar and flour can make baking seem confusing.

This is why I put together some holiday dessert recipes that are simple and delicious. Plus, they are perfect for sharing with loved ones. Christmas sugar cookies, gingerbread men, chocolate mint brownies, and a sugar cookie shake are a few of these tasty yet simple recipes. And the best part is that they don’t require fancy mixers, whipped egg whites, or anything too time consuming or kitchen destroying—well not positive about the last part, as I always find a way to make a mess out of the simplest of recipes. :) But what matters is that these recipes are simple to bake and taste amazing.

Christmas Cookies and Holiday Desserts

During the hectic holiday season, it is super convenient to put a hearty soup on low to simmer so that you can work on something else while dinner cooks itself. Simmering also allows the flavors in the soup to slowly develop and soak into any and all beans, legumes, veggies, or grains being used; this creates a fragrant and savory tasting soup. Slow-cooked soups can be made in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or even left on the stove over low heat. These meals require some prep, but leaving them to cook on their own makes up for any prep time.

This recipe for savory Italian style lentils is just that–quick prep, yet deep in flavor thanks to the long cooking time. The herb-infused lentils are also hearty and full of protein–a satisfying and warm winter meal after an icy day. Along with plenty of sautéed garlic, the lentils absorb flavors from the herbs and spices as they simmer until tender. Italian style lentils are delicious over noodles, rice, or even as a soup served with a side of crusty bread.

Besides being delicious and versatile in so many recipe, lentils are amazing for your health. Plus, they are an easy, delicious way to consume loads of protein and minerals. With 18 grams of protein in just one cup, they are a great source of plant-based protein. They also contain folate, iron, copper, phosphorous, pantothenic acid, potassium, and manganese as well as vitamins B1 and B6 just to name a few of the minerals and vitamins contributing to healthy function of the body. They are also a great source of fiber, making them excellent for digestion, stabilizing blood sugar, and balancing overall health. This high fiber content helps lower cholesterol while the high magnesium and folate content also contribute to enhancing heart health.
*A great link for learning more about the benefits of Lentils

Rinse lentils and add to a slow cooker or a medium-sized pot along with water. Add the additional prepared vegetables, then spices, and stir until combined. Cook on low for about 9 hours or on high for about 5 hours. Serve warm over pasta or rice, and garnish with additional herbs, salt & pepper. Enjoy!

If using the stove-top cooking method, bring lentils and veggies to a boil, then allow lentils to simmer for about 45 minutes or until tender. When lentils are soft, add the spices and simmer for another 10 minutes. Serve warm and garnish with additional herbs, salt & pepper. Enjoy!

The abundance of pumpkins and the crisp fall weather makes for the perfect time to start cooking warming dishes with heating spices and hearty ingredients like pumpkin curry. While we normally think of pumpkins as a decoration or an ingredient in pies, it’s easy to forget how delicious this seasonal ingredient is in savory recipes such as curry.

Small pumpkins are often used in Thai cuisine–they can be boiled, steamed, or baked. Pumpkin is such a versatile ingredient that is amazing in so many recipes. Surprisingly, it is actually very tasty in non-sweet/dessert recipes so it’s time to start incorporating them into your hearty soups and other savory meals. It tastes similar to sweet potatoes and butternut squash when steamed or baked. Add it to soups, stir-fries, and curries. Plus, it’s such a nourishing food that is both warming and satisfying. Some main health benefits of pumpkin are that it is full of fiber and nutrients that keep your heart, eyes, and skin healthy while also helping the immune system with protecting against seasonal viruses.

This pumpkin curry recipe might be messy, but it is soft, savory, and warm with flavors that are lightly spicy and fragrant from the rich and flavorful herbs and spices. Along with these delicious flavors, coconut milk adds a creamy and buttery element that cools down the spiciness. Soft curried pumpkin can be a delicious topping over rice or simply eaten as a soup. All you need to do to make this recipe is skin and chop a small pumpkin, remove the seeds and then steam/simmer it until soft and then add the other ingredients so that it can soak up the seasonal flavors.

Begin by cutting into the pumpkin into quarters, then peel the skin off of the pumpkin. Heat the water in a medium saucepan and add the garlic, ginger, and other spices to the hot water until fragrant. Add the diced pumpkin and chili pepper and steam while covered for about five minutes. Now add the zucchini, bell pepper, tomato, and coconut milk--let simmer for about 10 more minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve over quinoa or rice.